Edmonton Rock Fest returns

The Edmonton Rock Music Festival returns to Hawrelak Park’s Heritage Amphitheatre this weekend with a cast of veteran Canadian rockers.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday for the third annual event, with music starting at 6 p.m. The Todd James Band will kick things off with a set of originals and classic rock covers, followed by Winnipeg rockers Harlequin, known for early-1980s hits like I Did it for Love.

Headlining Friday night will be seven-time Juno Award winner Tom Cochrane and his band Red Rider.

Saturday will start early, with gates at 11 a.m. and music starting at noon with cover band Tough Century, followed by young St. Albert band DRT and AC/DC tribute band Who Made Who.

That’s when the big guns come out, with Go For a Soda and Patio Lanterns hitmaker Kim Mitchell taking the stage, making way for folk-rock band Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, featuring former Junkhouse frontman Tom Wilson.

Headliners Loverboy, the Calgary band known for ’80s hits Turn Me Loose and Working for the Weekend, will close out the festival.

Two-day passes are $85 in advance or $95 at the gate, while single-day passes go for $49 in advance or $59 at the gate. Kids under 12 get in free.

A shuttle will operate from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday with continuous service to the University Stadium car park.

On Saturday, the shuttle will operate from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and again from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Advance tickets are available through Acoustic Music Shop (9934-82 Ave., Myhre’s Music (8735-118 Ave.) and On the Rocks (11740 Jasper Ave.).